Improved uterine supporter



@atten tatra hattet @finalV IMPROVED UTER-INB SUPPORTER.

au Sri-chale rifatta tu in time tcttas fflatent ma mating ant nf tige sans.

Etre ALL wHoM IT MAY ooNonRN:

Beit known that LD. DODGE, M. D., of Rockford, in the county of Winnebago, and State of Illinois, 'have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Uterine Supporters; and I de hereby declare that the `following is a full and complete description of the'construction of the same, reference boinghad to the accom` panying drawings, making a pai-tot' this'specitieation, in which- Figure 1 is a i'ront view of the supporter.

Figure 2 is a side view ot' the same.

Figure 3 is a vertical transverse section.

y Like letters of reference refer to like parts in the views.

A, fig. l., islthe pad, which may be made of horn, rubber, or other material of a suitable nature. B is a tube, and is attached to the outside of the pad in the manner as follows: C, tig. 3, is a sleeve, to the inside of which is so fitted a supplementary sleeve, Dthat it can be easily turned, also made to slide upward and downward for a purpose hereafter shown. The lower end of the sleeve D is provided with a collar, E, iig. 2, in order to prevent it from sliding through the sleeve C, also to give greater security to the finger-screw F, by means of which the tube is confined in the-sleeve when inserted, as shown in iig. 3. G is an adaptable stay, to which is pivoted the sleeve C. It will be seen that by this manner of attaching the tube to the pad the tube is allowed a vibratory action in the direction of the front of the pad, at the same time the adaptable stay permits it to move laterally to any degree that may be necessary to adapt it to the movements of the patient. The stay (to which the tube is attached) being loosely pivoted to the abdominal pad allows it to turn, and thus it gives to the tube a lateral movement, hence the stay and tube are said to be adaptable. Hand Iare elastic bands, by means of which the tube is retained close to the pad, and for other purposes hereafter shown. J are stays by which the instrument is secured to the patient in a mannerhereafter described. The practical mechanical use of this surgical instrument is for the supporting of the uterus when in astate ot' prolapse, (Prolapsus u-tcr) whereby it may be'liftcd up and supported in its natural position, and `medical treatment be applied directly to the diseased part without the removal of the instrument, and which is accomplished as follows: The free end of the tube is provided with a soft padding of sponge other like suitable material, which may be held in an elastic soft cup and rest upon a circular plate, K. This padding, when properly prepared, is introducedinte the vagina and brought immediately under the uterus, which has been previously forced back into its normal position. The pad A is then pressed tirmly upon the pubis, and there secured by bands or strings being brought over the rim of the pelvis or under the symplzysz's pubis and coccygis to the stays d, and there properly fastened. The i position of the instrument when thus adjusted is shown in fig. 2. I do not confine myself to nor claim any special device for securing the supporter to the patient. It will be seen by this that thc downward pressure or the weight of the uterus will be supported upon the free end of the tube, which will gently resist the imposed weight, yielding more or less tothe pressure as the posture of the patient may cause additional strain upon the tube. By the lateral adaptability' of the instrument the tube is at all times kept in a vertical position, thereby preventing any displacement in itsapplieation to the uterus in consequence of any change made in the posture of thel'uitient. This readiness or" the instrument to adapt itself to the various changes made the patient renders the application ot" it unattended with pain, give-s it greatsecnrity in its purpose, andattended with little inconvenience. The stay being freely pivoted to the pad, allows the tube to retain the position (in relation to the patient) as shown in the drawing, when the intrlument is introduced into the vagina, hence there will be little Or no pressure exerted against the walls of the vagina by the tube when the patient bends laterally or sidewise. In this view of the action of the instrument, it is spoken of as being laterally adjustable. Afurther use of this instrument is to enable the practitioner to treat the diseased part directly, and that without the necessity of removing the supporter for that purpose. By means ot' the tube the lnedicating prescription may be conveyed to the diseased part, and by the absorbent character of the sponge cushion terminating the interior end of the tube it is thereby retained tocomplete the desired result. v In this particular oilico the tube serves as a speculum and shield, diluting and keeping intact the vaginal canal from the action oi" the treatment. The easy access thu-s given to -thc practitioner to reach the locality of the disc-ase puts the case more completely under his control; hence he will be able to treat the ease with greater certainty and success, and with less pain and inconvenience to the patient than by any ordinary treatment.

What I claim as my improvement, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The sleeves D'and C jointed to the pad, in combination with the tube B and springs H I, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

D. Denen.

1Witnesses:

W. II. Brnuincir, FRANK ALBEN. 

